Archive for
September 2011

Today on NewsTalk, DC Councilwoman Muriel Bowser talked about the future of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center site, which may soon see new retail and housing. We also looked at the ethical challenges facing the Council, internet gambling and the mayor’s hiring stumbles.
Washington Post reporter Jonathan O’Connell described the future of Tysons Corner. And we got advice on raising a puppy from Natalie Kahla, adoption manager of the Washington Animal Rescue League.

Today on NewsTalk, National Park Service spokesman Bill Line talked about the ongoing assessment of the damage done to the Washington Monument by last month’s earthquake. Then, getloans.com’s Brian Martucci discussed the ins and outs of refinancing your mortgage. With rates at historic lows, many people are grabbing at the chance to lock-in at a lower rate than they have now. Our last two segments featured a conversation with DC Councilman Michael Brown, who talked about the Council’s loss of decorum, ethics reform, jobs and gambling.

You can view today’s show in its entirety here:

Friday at 10am: The new Tysons Corner. Also, tips on adopting a puppy.

Today on NewsTalk, we looked at the continuing fascination with NJ Gov. Chris Christie, the man many Republicans hope will decide to seek the Republicans presidential nomination. Christie just gave a foreign policy speech at the Reagan Library in California, something a non-candidate isn’t likely to do. Still, he insists he’s not planning to run in 2012. We talked with Adam Tragone of Human Events magazine and Susan Ferrechio of the Washington Examiner about the Christie boomlet and what it reveals about the other GOP candidates.

We then talked with Washington City Paper reporter Dave McKenna about the pressure that was applied on the Washington Redskins, 50 years ago this season, to integrate. The Redskins were the last NFL team to sign black players, in part because of their large Southern fan base. McKenna wrote about the team’s racial past in a recent edition of City Paper.

Today on NewsTalk, Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett explained why he believes the teen curfew he’s proposed would help promote public safety. Leggett (D) admitted he once had reservations about curfews for young people but now believes they worthy public policy. He told us some area teens are drawn to the county by the presence of curfews in the District and Prince George’s, creating extra work for the county’s police force.

Leggett expressed reservations about the proposal to have the county take over Pepco, sharply rejected allegations of “secrecy” leveled by the county’s former inspector general, and warned of a need to scale-back Montgomery’s six-year rolling Capital Budget to avoid raising concerns on Wall Street. We also talked about steps the county is taking to provide transit alternatives for commuters.

Today on NewsTalk, Rep. Thad McCotter (R-Mich.) talked about his decision to end his brief run for the GOP presidential nomination. We also discussed the remaining Republican field, last night’s debate, his endorsement of Mitt Romney and the possibility that Congress will fail to come to an agreement on spending in time to avert a shutdown by next week.

We then turned our attention to the DC Council’s decision to work through their recent tensions with a closed-door session. Joining us: former Council candidates Patrick Mara (R) and Bryan Weaver (D).

The administration is not going forward with Robert Mallett to chair the Board of Elections and Ethics.

Today on NewsTalk, reporter Mark Segraves discussed the money diplomats owe D.C. and New York City because of unpaid parking tickets – some of them dating back decades. Also: the Gray administration’s decision to encrypt police radio communication, a move they say is tied to safety. Many in the media suspect otherwise.

We then talked with former D.C. Councilwoman Carol Schwartz (R) about the bad blood that now exists between many on the panel. Also on the agenda: ethics reform, taxes and gambling.

In our final segment, Marina Streznewski, head of the D.C. Jobs Council, talked about the tough time many local residents are having finding employment. We discussed the “skills gap” that stymies many job-seekers and the city’s inability to determine whether companies that get tax breaks are hiring city residents.

Today’s interviews can be seen here:

Friday at 10 a.m.: Rep. Thad McCotter on his decision not to seek the Republican presidential nomination.

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Today on NewsTalk, D.C. Councilman Vincent Orange about the tensions that have turned relationships among his colleagues sour. We also discussed the decision to raise taxes on the rich, his ethics reform measure, term limits and online gambling.

We also talked with Derrick Leon Davis, the Prince George’s Democrat who won last night’s County Council primary. Although there is a Republican, Day Gardner, running in the general election, it’s likely that Davis (D) will take the spot vacated by Leslie Johnson this summer. We discussed the County Executive’s bid to establish a $50 million economic development fund and the other issues the next representative from District 6 will face.

Today on NewsTalk, Politico White House reporter Glenn Thrush talked about the president’s deficit reduction plan and GOP opposition to it. We also talked about journalist Ron Suskind’s new book, which portrays the inner-workings of the Obama White House.

Washington Examiner reporter Ben Giles talked about today’s special election in Prince George’s County – for the seat that became vacant when Leslie Johnson resigned. Also: the announcement that the Md. Dept. of Housing and Community Development is moving to New Carrollton.

In our last segment, Erica Meier of Compassion Over Killing previewed this weekend’s DC VegFest.

Today’s interviews are available here:

Wednesday at 10 a.m.: A live interview with the winner of today’s PG Council primary.

Today on NewsTalk, DC council Chairman Kwame Brown discussed school reform, ethics, DYRS security issues, the jobs crunch and his “fully-loaded” Lincoln Navigator. Brown said he’s willing to consider reimbursing the city for the $1,900 lease payment the city made in February (the car was later returned after a public uproar), but he refuses to pay the $12,450 the city was forced to pay for breaking the lease, because he feels the District should never have entered into a lease with an upfront payment.

Brown believes “full disclosure” will help restore the public’s faith in the Council, but he didn’t want to discuss specific ethics reform proposals until he’s able to meet with his colleagues.

Later in the hour, Washington Post reporter Miranda Spivack and former delegate Gerron Levi offered analysis of next week’s special election in Prince George’s County – the 14-candidate scramble to fill the County Council seat once held by Democrat Leslie Johnson.

Today on NewsTalk, DC Mayor Vince Gray said the gridlock we experienced after the earthquake was – like last winter’s ice storm – a sign that the region needs to do more to coordinate after significant events. His comments follow those of Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, who yesterday blamed the federal government for failing to communicate an action plan after the August 23 tremor. Gray said the Office of Personnel Management was in touch with DC officials after the quake, a sign that communication has improved since 9/11, but that more needs to be done.

Gray expressed regret that his former deputy chief of staff, Andi Pringle, wasn’t vetted more fully, but he said it would be “incredibly unfair” to suggest that his administration hasn’t improved since its early missteps. He talked about the recent attacks on transgendered persons, and – after being asked about a letter from Councilman Marion Barry regarding security at a youth detention facility – accused some of his former colleagues of “micromanaging” and impeding progress.

We also talked at length about efforts to spur job creation in the District.

Our interview with Mayor Gray is available here:

Wednesday at 10 a.m.: DC Council Chairman Kwame Brown and a preview of the special election in Prince George’s

Today on NewsTalk, Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton praised the president’s jobs plan, hammered the federal government for its response to last month’s earthquake, and offered a possible remedy to the postal service’s financial problems. Norton’s comments about the gridlock that followed the ‘quake are particularly relevant in the wake of this weekend’s 9/11 observances. “I blame the federal government,” said the District’s non-voting Delegate. “We performed no better after the earthquake than after 9/11. … We have a long way to go.”

We also talked today with DC Councilwoman Mary Cheh – and she too found significant failings in the region’s response to the earthquake. She said there were too many cars on the road at one time, with two few traffic control officers helping keep intersections clear. We also talked about the Gray administration’s hiring difficulties (“very regrettable”), ethics reform (she has a proposal coming) and internet gaming (she supports a very limited pilot program).

In our last segment, blogger Tom Threlkeld talked about the Redskins win over the Giants.

Today on NewsTalk, Politico’s David Mark offered analysis of Wednesday’s GOP presidential debate, which saw Texas Gov. Rick Perry take to the stage for the first time since declaring his candidacy. The sparring between Perry and former frontrunner Mitt Romney grabbed the headlines, making it difficult for the other candidates to get much attention last night.

This is National Preparedness Month, and Dr. Mohammad Akhter, head of the DC Department of Health displayed the items every family should have on hand. Grab a pen and paper, and follow along as he lays out the minimum “survival kit” items you should have stashed away.

Lastly, the 9/11 attacks caused many people to reassess their lives. Some became more involved in their community. Others joined the military. And some questioned their career choices. Today we talked with two people – Kathy Jankowski of the Catalogue for Philanthropy and Erin Blackwelder of Compass – whose lives were changed by 9/11. We invite you to watch this interesting conversation.

If you missed any of today’s show, click on this link:

Friday at 10am: Former Rep. Tom Davis talks about the president’s jobs speech and reflects on 9/11. Also: a special counter-terrorism panel.

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Today on NewsTalk, we looked at the impact of the 9/11 attacks on young people. We were joined by two area residents who were teens at the time of the attacks on the Pentagon and the World Trade Center. A good conversation.

Reporter Rebecca Cooper then stopped by to discuss the new polls showing that Rick Perry is now the frontrunner in the race for the GOP presidential nomination. Republican presidential hopefuls square off in a Politico (link: Politico.com) debate at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California. Blogger Tom Threlkeld (link: dcprosportsreport.com) talked about Stephen Strasburg’s strong outing against the Dodgers and the Terrapins eye-popping new uniforms. And we previewed this weekend’s Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind 5K fun run/walk (link: clb.org).

If you missed any of today’s show, we invite you to watch it here:

Thursday at 10am on NewsChannel 8: The essentials every family should have

Today on NewsTalk, DC deputy mayor Paul Quander talked about the lessons the region’s leaders learned during the Sept. 11 attacks and whether we’d be able to respond properly in the event terrorists strike again. He also talked about the special events the DC schools have scheduled in the days leading up to the tenth anniversary of the 2001 attacks on Washington and New York.

Quander, who just wrapped up a six-month stint as Mayor Gray’s interim chief of staff, also acknowledged that “there were shortcomings” in the vetting of new deputy Chief of Staff Andi Pringle. Pringle, who has admitted voting in DC while living in Maryland, is “a quality person,” Quander said, and there are no plans to remove her from her post. Quander said Pringle “went through the full vetting process” but that “we missed one” when it came to her voting history. Dorothy Brizill of DC Watch said it took her “15 minutes” to determine that Pringle voted in one place while living in another.

Today on NewsTalk, reporter Mark Segraves talked about the serious charges facing DC police officers – including one accused of firing his weapon into a car full of people and another said to have not reported a murder she witnessed.

Today on NewsTalk, we discussed the news that the Washington area is now majority-minority. Joining us: Washington Post columnist Bob McCartney. American University’s Edmund Ghareeb, an expert on the Middle East, talked about the struggles Libya faces following the overthrow of Gaddafi. And reporter Scott Thuman offered thoughts on the skirmishing between the White House and Congress over the president’s upcoming jobs speech.